Treating eye disorders using intestinal trefoil proteins

Abstract

Intestinal trefoil factors and nucleic acids encoding intestinal trefoil factors are disclosed. The intestinal trefoil factors disclosed are resistant to destruction in the digestive tract and can be used for the treatment of peptic ulcer diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, eye disorders and other insults.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for the treatment of a disruption of the corneal epithelium in a patient, said method comprising administering to the eye of said patient a trefoil protein selected from the group consisting of intestinal trefoil factor (ITF), spasmolytic peptide (SP), pS2, and biologically active fragments thereof. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said trefoil protein is a human trefoil protein. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein said trefoil protein is intestinal trefoil factor (ITF). 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2 , wherein said trefoil protein is spasmolytic peptide (SP). 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 2 , wherein said trefoil protein is pS2. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said disorder is a corneal ulcer, or is caused by a traumatic physical injury, eye surgery, a chemical exposure, or an ultraviolet light exposure. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein administration is topical.